Sheriff’s Deputies assigned to the Goleta Valley Patrol Bureau were dispatched to a 911 hang-up at the Hillside House located at 1235 Veronica Springs Road in Santa Barbara on April 4 at around 11:15 a.m. The call was upgraded to a stabbing that had just occurred. The subsequent investigation revealed that two co-workers, both long time employees of Hillside House, have been having problems working together for the past several years.

Both began an argument in the kitchen and challenged each other to go outside and fight. While walking through the main kitchen, one of the subjects identified as Evodio Garcia Garcia, a 62 year old resident of Santa Barbara, picked up a large kitchen knife and began stabbing his co-worker, a 62 year old Goleta resident. Their supervisor heard the altercation taking place in the kitchen and intervened by physically grabbing Garcia, not noticing that he was holding a knife.

The supervisor was able to convince Garcia to place the knife on the kitchen counter and walked him to the front office. He alerted other employees to call for help and get medical attention for the other employee who had been stabbed.

Sheriff’s Deputies along with both City of Santa Barbara and County of Santa Barbara Fire Personnel responded along with Paramedics. The victim was transported to Cottage Hospital and treated for two severe stab wounds.

Garcia was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on Attempted Murder charges with bail set at $500,000.00.

It should be noted that at no time were any of the residents, clients or other staff at the Hillside House Facility threatened or attacked by the suspect.